The penultimate day of our walk and it had a different feel about it. We have been so used to a regular routine that requires little thinking or planning, that to then have to use our thought processes seems alien. In a strange way we are leaving ‘the corners’ and are starting to think about the road stretching out ahead.

So back on track – this time a very windy one, the first of our trip. Mostly gradually up along a mixture of roads, gravel paths, stone slabs, damp tracks. Today is May Day which is generally about workers and their rights, although different countries have their own variations on this. I’m not sure but the Padron cemetery had a new bunch of flowers on ‘every’ grave, and I’m guessing this may be their variation.

Because it’s a holiday today, the many villages we pass through are bare and silent except for the ‘tap of tired poles’ as walkers get closer to the end. Faces have changed and for various reasons the human familiarity has gone which gives us quiet time to slow down and reflect on experiences.

The only exception was meeting up with a man from Germany whose dream is to walk from his front door to Santiago in Spain. We were glad to walk a little with him and share a coffee. There are so many Germans here we were delighted to talk with at least one. Others appeared to know us, probably because they had seen the PD sign on my back.

With regard to my PD, my left leg has not been such a major issue since Porto, but walking speed has lessened, I have more ‘off’ time than usual, and it’s a little harder to turn in bed and get out of it. I still find that up and down hills and lots of corners work much better for me than straight flat stretches, and my voice is in need of exercise. While walking is good for me, I realise that I need to get back to PD specific exercises to assist me with the above issues. 

Another issue I have is a Poppy one because I can’t recall seeing one since leaving Porto. I’m wondering if they don’t like the coast, being a more inland flower, or maybe because of the small intense gardens, they have been plowed into the soil.